A large crowd gathered in a blustery Carraig Na Bhfear venue for this local derby league final. Despite playing into the wind in the first half St. Colmcille’s did all the early attacking. Goals appeared to be the aim, as they sought to raise green flags when points were there for the taking. Seven minutes in Whitechurch had their first attack and with it their first score – and the wisdom of going for goals was being questioned as the home side had nothing to show for their efforts.

An inspirational point from distance by wing-back Evan Flynn final got his side off the mark, twelve minutes in. However Whitechurch hit a real purple patch and had some fine points of their own, as they raced into a six point lead. Midfielder Sean Whelan did notch a second point but it was a shot from an acute angle from Billy Ryan, that got held up by the wind, and ended up nestling in the top corner of the net, that really kick-started Colmcilles into gear. Ryan also pointed to leave the score at half-time 0-8 to 1-3. But for some solid defending from the full-back line, comprised of Ronan Healy, Aidan Docherty and David O’Mahony, this margin could well have been greater. Outside them Joe Dunphy also was very involved.

The value of the wind was shown early in the second half when centre-back and captain Ruairi Quinlan boomed one over the bar from distance. St. Colmcille’s adopted a tactic of playing ball into space in the direction of lively forwards Rob Sheehan, Cian Ryan and Adam Bowen, and when centre-forward Sean Delaney cut through the Whitechurch defence brilliantly, he laid off the hand-pass to Sheehan who made no mistake with his finish, and St. Colmcille’s led for the first time in the game, eight minutes into the second half. From there St. Comcille’s had their period of dominance – Delaney stormed into the game and notched two of his own points. Eddie Coughlan, who had a few uncharacteristic wides in the first period, showed his capabilities when the need was greatest – he pinged over some massive points in the third and fourth quarters.

With St. Colmcille’s now leading 2-8 to 0-8 three-quarters way through the contest, one might have sensed that the hard part of the shift was done, but credit to Whitechurch they fought gamely, and reduced the deficit –back to five, and then four and then three and then two. However, a well taken point from Mark O Flynn broke our opponent’s momentum somewhat. Still they pressed forward and goalie Adam O Halloran had to come off his line bravely to snuff out a goal-chance. Two beauties late on from the now-dominant Coughlan put a gloss on the scoreline. Fresh legs were introduced with Michael Harte, Dylan Bowen and Evan Quain all entering the fray to play their part in a very encouraging victory.

Credit to the St. Colmcille’s players and their management team comprised of Aidan Bowen, Will Ryan, George Healy and Pat Casey who have won both of their Minor leagues in 2022 – having won the Division 1 football title three weeks ago.